Patriots offer Aaron Hernandez jersey exchange at Gillette ProShop

Hernandez jerseys can be exchanged this weekend in Foxborough

UPDATED 6:45 PM EDT Jul 06, 2013

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -

The New England Patriots ProShop is offering a free jersey exchange this weekend for any No. 81 Aaron Hernandez jersey purchased at the Patriots ProShop or online at PatriotsProShop.com for a new Patriots jersey of comparable value.

The free jersey exchange is only available at the Patriots ProShop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Patriots fans began lining up outside the ProShop to start exchanging their jerseys. Once a jersey was turned in, fans received a yellow ticket and made their way inside the store where they were allowed to pick up a new jersey of their choice.

“I think it’s a great thing the Patriots and the NFL are doing, to try to show people how much they are against violence and anything like that,” said Pats fan Chris Landry.

Some fans had both the No. 81 jersey and the No. 85 that Hernandez wore as a rookie.

“I was a big fan ever since his rookie year. And then, everything happened, and I was hoping to figure out a way to get rid of the jerseys, and they offered the exchange, and I said, ‘great,’” said Brian Risica.

New England Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the shop was opened 30 minutes early to accommodate fans who arrived early.

“By 11 a.m., we had already exchanged more than 500 jerseys, including over 100 youth jerseys. So far, the most popular jersey requested for exchange in the first hour was Vince Wilfork's, followed by Tom Brady and Chandler Jones,” James said.

By 5 p.m., 1,200 jersey's had been exchanged.

James said that he hopes the opportunity to exchange the jerseys for another player’s will be well-received by parents of young fans.

"We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don’t want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore,” James said.

Fan Brad Tofias said he had a difficult time explaining the jersey switch to his 8-year-old, but his son quickly picked out a new Wilfork jersey.

“My son bought a jersey for Aaron Hernandez -- one of his favorite players, a while ago. It was hard telling him why we had to exchange the jersey,” Tofias said.

The free exchange is limited to one per person. Fans can participate again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Copyright 2013 by WCVB.comAll rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.